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News Briefs: Friday, July 12, 2013
Highway cleared
Highway 3 between Fort Providence and Behchoko reopened Tuesday evening after a single-vehicle accident forced the Department of Transportation to close the road at 8:30 a.m. that morning.
The driver of a Super B fuel tank owned by RTL/Westcan had non-life-threatening injuries. The tanker rolled on its side and spilled jet A-1 fuel into the ditch, and efforts to clean the spill by RTL/Westcan took up a good portion of Tuesday.
Judy McLinton, communications manager for Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the cleanup was completed Wednesday and RTL/Westcan was excavating the soil around the ditch to determine how much fuel went into the ground.
- Candace Thomson
Lightning strikes twice
Yellowknife was without power for a short time Thursday morning and again in the afternoon after lightning hit a transmission line and then later transmission equipment.
Yellowknife, Dettah and Behchoko were affected by the outage. The lightning struck the power lines coming from the Snare Hydro System located about 140 km northwest of Yellowknife, at around 9:40 a.m.
Power was restored to the city using diesel backup generators shortly after 10 a.m.
Later in the day lightning hit transmission equipment near Smiley Lake, about 60-70 km from Yellowknife, and it took Northwest Territories Power Corporation about 30 minutes to restore power again.
- Daniel Campbell
Smoke restricts travel
The Department of Transportation issued a travel advisory yesterday morning because of smoky conditions along Highway 3.
Motorists were advised not to travel until visibility cleared later in the day.
Earl Blacklock, spokesperson for the department, said it was a combination of smoke and fog that caused the disruption. He said once the fog burned off around noon, the visibility improved.
- Daniel Campbell
Best books wanted
The library is continuing to accept submissions for its best books contest throughout the summer.
The contest is open to children from age six to adults.
Entries must be submitted by Sept. 16.
- Cody Punter
News Briefs: Thursday, July 11, 2013
Water licence sent for ministerial approval
The Canadian Zinc Corporation is a step closer to getting the key regulatory permit it needs for the operation of the Prairie Creek Mine.
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has finished its regulatory process for the issuing of a type A water licence to Canadian Zinc. The licence has been forwarded to the federal minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada with the recommendation that he approve the licence.
The water licence would allow Canadian Zinc to use water in the area to conduct mining, milling and processing activities at Prairie Creek, along with removing water from the underground mine and disposing of waste from mining and milling.
The company is also waiting for a land-use permit and type B water licence from Parks Canada for the portion of the mine's access road that runs through the Nahanni National Park Reserve.
Accident closes highway
A single vehicle accident involving a fuel truck closed Highway 3 between Fort Providence and Behchoko on July 9.
The truck, carrying 53,000 litres of fuel, jackknifed on the road at 7:45 a.m. 60 kilometres south of Behchoko. The driver from Edmonton sustained what are thought to be non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Stanton Territorial Hospital, said Earl Blacklock, the manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Transportation.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the transport company that owned the truck, RTL/Westcan, based in Yellowknife, had transferred the fuel out of the tanks and was also being held responsible for cleaning up fuel that was spilled at the scene.
The highway was reopened late Tuesday, according to Blacklock. There was no damage done to the highway.
Cellphone service arrives in Wrigley
Northwestel has launched its 4G wireless service in Wrigley.
This is the first time the community has had cellphone service. Wrigley is the 10th NWT community where Northwestel has launched its 4G service.
Multi-week summer camp in Fort Simpson
The Village of Fort Simpson's recreation department will be offering a multi-week summer camp beginning on July 15.
The Liidlii Kue Day Camp will run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Aug. 9 for youth ages five to 13. Activities will include arts and crafts, sports, science and exploring nature.
New access for Children First
The Children First Society has asked the town to allow it to put a new entrance into its centre slated to open in August.
The centre, which will be the primary site for early childhood care in Inuvik when it opens, was originally slated to have its entrance off Kingmingya Road. On July 8, representatives of the society asked the town to approve an entrance off either Gwich'in or Bompas roads.
The request comes over concern that the Kingmingya entrance would add to the steady traffic generated by the NorthMart store and the new East Three School.
The council members agreed to the move in principle, pending further details and negotiations over signage.
Liquor charges increase
The monthly RCMP report to Inuvik council indicates that the number of people charge with liquor offences increased in May and June.
Staff Sgt. Dennis McLeod said more than 20 charges were laid in those months.
Those numbers lend credence to problems with loitering and public drinking in the downtown core that has been much-discussed during council meetings over the last two weeks.
McLeod said he is also looking at downtown foot patrols.
Umpire clinic planned
The Inuvik Slo-Pitch Association is holding a clinic to train umpires in advance of the Benchwarmers team hosting the territorial championships in August.
The clinics, sponsored by NWT Softball, will run during the evenings of July 15 and 17.
The Benchwarmers women's team will host the tournament Aug. 9 to 11 for the Women's Territorial Slo-Pitch Championship, and certified umpires are needed.
Reading club begins
The Inuvik Centennial Library is hosting a Summer Reading Club.
The club, sponsored by the TD Bank, is aimed at children ages 4 to 12, and will run Wednesdays until Aug. 21.
The club will introduce students to new books and provide fun activities as well.
The program is held evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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